Articulating Support Arm for Compact Sit-Stand Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sit-stand workstation support arms lack compact storage options and stable, adjustable designs that allow for comfortable user positioning, often protruding and causing obstructions when stored under a workstation.
Innovation Solution
An articulating support arm with a base and two sets of pivotally connected control arms forming a diamond shape, featuring gear teeth for vertical adjustment and a locking assembly for stability, along with a tilt adjustment mechanism for improved user comfort, allowing for compact storage by aligning the control head with the base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support arm uses a long curved neck to extend forward and upward for sit-stand adjustment, then vertical adjustability is improved, but the storage space requirement increases and it cannot be fully stored under the workstation
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm employs a dynamic linkage mechanism with multiple control arms (first control arm, second control arm, third control arm) connected through pivots and links that can change configuration. This allows the arm to transition between an extended position for vertical adjustment and a compact folded position for storage under the workstation, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arms are designed to nest within each other when folded to the vertical position. The first control arm, second control arm, and third control arm can be positioned concentrically or adjacently, minimizing the overall volume occupied during storage while maintaining full vertical adjustability when deployed.
2Ease of operation
If the support arm is mounted to extend forward for ergonomic reach, then user accessibility is improved, but it protrudes below the work surface and causes obstruction when stored
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm uses a dynamic configuration system where the control arms can be positioned at different angles and lengths depending on operational needs. When in use, the arms extend forward for ergonomic accessibility; when stored, they fold vertically to clear the user space, eliminating the harmful obstruction effect.
3Ease of manufacture
If the support arm structure is simplified for cost reduction, then manufacturing cost decreases, but vertical adjustment stability and strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into segmented control arms (first, second, and third control arms) connected by pivots and links. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using cost-effective processes while the collective linkage system provides the necessary stability and strength for vertical adjustment, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and reliability.
4Ease of operation
If the control arms are made lightweight for ease of movement, then operational ease improves, but the ability to endure BIFMA static load testing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control arms are constructed using composite materials or optimized material compositions that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the arms to be lightweight enough for easy manual operation while maintaining sufficient strength to pass BIFMA static load testing, resolving the contradiction between ease of movement and load bearing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating support arm includes a base, a first set of control arms having proximal ends and distal ends, with the proximal ends of the first set of control arms being pivotally connected to the base. The support arm further includes a second set of control arms having proximal ends and distal ends, with the proximal ends of the second set of control arms being disposed forward of and pivotally connected to the distal ends of the first set of control arms. The distal ends of the second set of control arms also are pivotally connected to a control head, and a locking assembly selectively prevents pivotal movement of the control arms, so as to provide vertical adjustment of the control head relative to the base.